Uncle Nearest Debt Crisis

Records show whiskey company owed millions years before Farm Credit suit

10:08 p.m. Jan. 15, 2026

DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor

Farm Credit Mid-America’s $108 million lawsuit has attracted a lot of public attention. But records shared with the Moore County Observer revealed that when Uncle Nearest Inc. entered receivership, it had millions in additional debt not included in the lawsuit.

Information given to the Observer indicated that at least one account was overdue as early as May 31, 2021. On average, the bills were more than 170 days past due, suggesting the company’s financial troubles began years before the current litigation.

Largest Outstanding Obligations

The largest debt was to Tennessee Distilling Group, totaling about $1.24 million, including taxes and escrow. This Columbia, Tenn., company makes various whiskeys for other brands and is a key part of Uncle Nearest’s production.

The second-largest debt, $600,000, was owed to Marabou Inc., a California company set up for actor Jeffrey Wright’s services. State records list Wright as Marabou’s chief financial officer, secretary, CEO, and director.

Genesis Global Recruiting Inc. was owed almost $570,000. The company offers executive search, hiring, staffing, and consulting services, working with tech, HR, and venture-backed firms.

▶️ The Story of Nearest Green featuring Jeffrey Wright

Legal and Professional Services

The Observer also learned about large unpaid bills to several major law firms, showing how much the company relied on legal and advisory services:

• Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP – $150,893
• Troutman Pepper Locke LLP – $116,066
• Gunderson Dettmer – $66,798
• Adams & Reese LLP – $27,104

These firms handle corporate, litigation, regulatory, and venture-related legal work, showing the wide range of professional help the company uses.

Individuals Tied to Branding and Events

Smaller debts were owed to people involved in marketing, events, and brand representation. These roles were closely linked to Uncle Nearest’s national image:

• Steven Aturo, a three-time Emmy-nominated makeup artist – $3,575
• Omar Seneriz, a creative director specializing in consumer brand and packaging design – $2,300
• Sheralyn Bradley, owner of Spirits Bartending Services LLC – $1,713
• Jazmin Gardner, a sommelier and Uncle Nearest brand ambassador since October 2023 – $1,046
• Levi Gotsman, an event lead and brand steward since September 2023 – $823

Sports, Trade Groups, and Industry Connections

The list also showed debts to well-known organizations that were not directly involved in production:

• Monumental Sports and Entertainment, owner of the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals – $28,875
• Pacers Basketball LLC, the corporate entity behind the NBA’s Indiana Pacers – $16,068

In the spirits industry, the company owed 174,620.73 to TricorBraun Inc., a global distributor and provider of packaging solutions, more than $106,000 to Cursive Solutions Inc., a digital printing company based in Mason, Ohio, specializing in premium, customized labels and packaging for brands in wine & spirits, beauty, and food & beverage, $30,000 to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, and $14,760 to WhistlePig LLC, a craft rye whiskey distillery in Vermont.

Other major debts included $272,261.12 owed to Clear Channel Outdoor, an advertising company that specializes in billboards, and $116,374.27 owed to Oracle America Inc., which provides enterprise software, hardware, and cloud services.

Broader Context

Records provided to the Observer showed the company continued to invest in production partners, national branding, professional services, and major marketing efforts, even as unpaid debts mounted and investors' angst grew.

As the Farm Credit Mid-America case continues and a court-appointed receiver seeks to stabilize Uncle Nearest’s operations, these additional debts provide important context for the company’s overall financial health. The situation was shaped not just by a single lender dispute, but by a growing network of unpaid bills.